Being a mom with MG helps me to appreciate life more

Yvette Bernal, left, with her daughter Eliza Roman as Eliza prepares to graduate high school. (Photo courtesy of Yvette Bernal)

This is Yvette Bernal’s story:

During my senior year of high school, I found out I was pregnant with a girl. I promised myself I was going to work hard to walk across the stage at my graduation ceremony, and would do everything I could to be the best mother, break generational cycles, and pave new ways for my daughter. Crossing that stage six months pregnant, I rubbed my belly and said, “Baby girl, we did it; next time you walk across the stage, I’ll be in the stands cheering!”

I worked hard over the years to follow through on my promises. Then, in 2014, I was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis. I experienced double vision and was weak, and my mental health was a mess! I feared I wouldn’t be the mom I wanted to be for my children, and would miss all the special moments in their lives.

Thankfully, by 2018, I had found the right treatment, and my MG symptoms had calmed. I started seeing a therapist in 2021, and my mental health started to improve. In 2024, I started working with a nutritionist who helped me fuel my body and build some muscle.

My daughter’s senior year started this past September, and I was so excited for all the planning. Then 2025 took a wild turn, and nothing was going as planned. Emotions and stress were very high, and by the end of March, the double vision had returned. Everything I’d dreamed of doing with my daughter during her senior year felt like it was being ripped away.

But, thanks to my therapist and nutritionist, I had tools that I could put to good use. First, no negative self-talk or comments from others. I listened to motivational speeches daily, experienced slow mornings outdoors, stayed hydrated, hired a party planner, did some sound therapy, and rested without guilt. I also allowed my support system to truly help me. Was this easy? No! But thanks to the internal work I’ve been doing and the people I’ve allowed in my circle, it was easier.

Being a mom and living with MG can get tough and frustrating, but I feel that my experiences have helped me appreciate life more. I’ve said MG is my blessing in disguise. It teaches me life lessons and helps me teach my children as well.

At my daughter’s graduation ceremony, I was wearing an eye patch the whole time, but a promise was kept, and I was in the crowd cheering for my baby girl while she crossed that stage — and I had enough energy to mingle and soak in the special time.

In recognition of Myasthenia Gravis Awareness Month in June, the Myasthenia Gravis Community Spotlight campaign features a series of stories highlighting the real-life experiences of people affected by myasthenia gravis, written in their own words. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or X for more stories like this, using the hashtag #MGSpotlight, or read the full series here.